Tejal Shah

Tejal Shah is a Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. Department of State, recognized for her extensive experience in strategic policy planning and foreign affairs. With over fifteen years in the field, she has spent six years serving overseas as a diplomat, holding significant roles that include Chief of Political and Economic Affairs at the U.S. Consulate General in Toronto and Deputy Counselor and First Secretary at the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan since July 2022.12

Educational Background:
Tejal holds a Master of Arts (M.A.) in International Relations, Southeast Asia Studies, and Development and Transition Economics from The Johns Hopkins University. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science and Government from The University of Texas at Dallas.

Areas of Expertise:
Her professional focus includes:

• Economic and Energy Policy: Promoting U.S. business interests, trade liberalization, and economic development through programs such as USAID.
• Multilingual Proficiency: Fluent in Indonesian and proficient in Hindi, Thai, and Spanish, which enhances her effectiveness in diverse diplomatic environments.

Career Highlights:
Throughout her career, Tejal has tackled complex issues across various regions including the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Her previous roles also encompass positions such as Refugee Admissions Program Officer at the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, and Senior Egypt Country Desk Team Lead at the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.2

Tejal Shah's comprehensive skill set and leadership capabilities have established her as a key player in U.S. foreign policy initiatives.